Asheville Community Faces Post-Hurricane Housing Crisis
It’s a chilly morning in Asheville, and while the clouds hang overhead, there’s a palpable warmth in the spirit of the community. Just weeks after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the region, around 50 residents bundled up in coats and mittens gathered outside the Buncombe Courthouse. Their signs shouting “No evictions in a disaster” and “Housing is a human right” painted a picture of unity and determination.
A Call for Change
This demonstration was organized by local groups, Just Economics and Asheville Food and Beverage United, who are uniting voices to call for a moratorium on evictions. Residents and advocates have been tirelessly asking for support similar to what was offered during the COVID-19 pandemic, but beyond some small grant programs, significant rent relief is hard to find.
More than 1,100 signatures have already been gathered on a petition pushing for an eviction moratorium, and with so many in need, it’s clear this community is not willing to stand by quietly. The impact of Hurricane Helene has been devastating. Floods and landslides knocked out vital infrastructure, leaving many struggling to pay their rent.
The Fallout of the Storm
As of now, an estimated 12,000 residents in Buncombe County have filed for disaster-related unemployment, and countless others are grappling with the loss of jobs, cars, and access to childcare. Emily Merz, a 30-year-old former store manager at The Pot Stirred, a well-loved alcohol-free bar and café, is one of the many affected. The floodwaters destroyed her workplace, leaving her without a job, and she is now wrestling with challenges at home as well.
“That place felt like a home to me,” Emily shared, reminiscing about the community that flourished within those walls. Living in a rental house with her partner, sister, and a friend, they face mounting pressure as their rent steadily increases, now sitting at a jaw-dropping $3,300 a month. “It’s tough when your paycheck doesn’t grow at the same rate as your rent,” she sighed.
Housing Woes Continue
Another resident, Isabella Clark, 27, is facing her own set of challenges. Living with roommates in East Asheville, the storm worsened her already tough rent situation. After her supplies for herbalism—her passion—were ruined in the flood, she found the need to move fast. Housing stock in the area is already tight, and the fear of eviction looms large for many, especially since Hurricane Helene left around 670 residential buildings damaged, with 294 completely destroyed.
The problem isn’t just the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Samuel Gunter, the executive director of the NC Housing Coalition, highlighted a worrying trend. “If folks end up getting evicted, there is nowhere for them to go right now,” he stated. With projections showing that as many as 126,000 homes were impacted statewide, the urgency for solutions is paramount.
Evictions on the Rise
As of late October, the courts in Buncombe County started hearing eviction cases again. In just a short time since reopening, 195 eviction hearings have already happened in the county. This is raising alarm bells for advocates like Vicki Meath from Just Economics, who argues that “This is not a time to evict people. This is a time to keep people housed.”
Looking Ahead
As the community rallies together, discussions regarding an eviction moratorium linger. While some local leaders look to historical precedents where states have enacted similar protections during disasters, nothing has been solidified yet. The push for assistance continues, with hopes to stabilize the housing situation for those most affected.
Community members like Emily and Isabella are urging local leaders and lawmakers to take action. As they look to the future, they know they must face this challenging moment together, supporting one another in any way they can. “We need time to help each other,” shared attorney David Bartholomew. “It’s vital that we don’t displace more people and add to the disaster.”
As Asheville strives to heal from Hurricane Helene, one thing is clear: this community is resilient, determined, and ready to stand tall for one another as they navigate the challenges ahead.
